A Guide to Heel Spurs: What You Need to Know

Our Wichita Podiatrist Explains Heel Spur Symptoms and Treatment Options

Do you feel sharp heel pain when you stand up after sitting still for a period of time? This could mean that you have a heel spur or another podiatric condition. Don’t suffer in silence. A skilled podiatrist can diagnose and treat heel spurs and other painful foot injuries and conditions. In the Wichita area, Dr. Benjamin Weaver of Central Kansas Podiatry Associates is here to help.

How Heel Spurs Are Formed

Heel spurs are bony growths that develop on the underside of the heel bone. They are typically caused by long-term stress on the foot's muscles and ligaments, which can lead to calcium deposits on the heel that form a protruding bony growth. This growth is referred to as a heel spur.

Heel Spurs and Plantar Fasciitis

Heel spurs are often associated with plantar fasciitis, a painful foot condition in which inflammation of the thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot can lead to the development of heel spurs.

Common Heel Spurs Causes and Risk Factors

Heel spurs can be caused by a number of factors that impact the feet and heels. Common causes and risk factors include:

• Repetitive strain. Regularly participating in activities involving a lot of walking, running, or jumping can stress the heel in a way that may lead to heel spurs.
• Improper footwear. Shoes that do not properly support the foot can contribute to the development of heel spurs.
• Age. As people age, the fat pad on the heel wears down, increasing the risk of heel spurs.
• Foot mechanics. If you have flat feet, high arches, or walk with an abnormal gait, this can put extra stress on the heel and contribute to heel spur formation.
• Excess weight. Obesity is a significant risk factor for heel spurs, as excess weight may strain your foot muscles and ligaments, leading to heel spurs.
• Arthritis. If you have arthritis, you’re more likely to develop a heel spur. Arthritis affects your natural bone and muscle movement, which can lead to heel spurs.

Heel Spur Symptoms and Signs

Sharp pain is often the first sign of a heel spur. Once a heel spur forms and becomes enlarged, it puts pressure on the soft tissue on the bottom of your heel and causes pain. People with heel spurs often describe the pain as like a knife or pin sticking into the bottom of their foot.

The sharp pain of heel spurs tends to strike when standing up after sitting or lying down for an extended period of time. It tends to hurt when you first stand up in the morning but can lessen into a dull ache as time goes by. However, once you stand up after sitting for a long period of time, the sharp pain will return.

Sharp pain when standing after a period of activity isn’t the only sign of heel spurs. Other common symptoms of a heel spur include:

• Small protrusion on the bottom of the heel. If you develop a visible protrusion on the bottom of your heel, that is a sign that you may have a heel spur.
• Tenderness. If the bottom of your feel is sensitive to the touch, that may indicate the presence of a heel spur.
• Pressure sensitivity. If you have a heel spur, your foot may be pressure-sensitive, which can cause you to feel pain when you walk on it.
• Inflammation and swelling. Heel spurs often cause inflammation and swelling near the front of the heel.
• Sensation of heat. If you have a heel spur, the area may feel a sensation of warmth in the affected area. This is particularly likely for heel spurs associated with plantar fasciitis.
• Continual pain. If you are experiencing continual heel pain that doesn't subside even when resting your feet, that is a sign that you’ve developed a heel spur.

How Heel Spurs Can Be Diagnosed and Treated

If you think you may have a heel spur, it’s important to see a podiatrist for diagnosis and treatment. If you’re in the Wichita area, we encourage you to make an appointment with Dr. Benjamin Weaver of Central Kansas Podiatry Associates. Dr. Weaver will thoroughly examine your foot to determine if you have a heel spur or a different foot condition causing your pain, then develop an individualized treatment plan based on your medical history, diagnosis, current condition, and other factors.

If you have heel spurs, the recommended treatment plan may include a combination of therapies. Treatment options may include: 

• Ice/heat therapy. Alternating ice and heat packs can help ease mild heel spur symptoms.
• Supportive footwear. Wear supportive shoes that fit well to support your feet and heels properly.
• Orthotics. Wearing orthotic shoe inserts to help relieve the pressure from your heel spur, reducing pain and inflammation.
• Stretching exercises. Doing exercises designed to stretch your heels and calves to help provide relief from the pain of heel spurs.
• Physical therapy. Participating in physical therapy to rehabilitate and strengthen your heel can reduce pain and inflammation.
• Night splints. Wearing a night splint can align your heel properly at night, which may help reduce the pain you feel when you first stand up in the morning.
• Steroid injections. Taking steroid injections prescribed and administered by your podiatrist can help relieve inflammation caused by heel spurs.
• SoftWave therapy. Receiving SoftWave therapy, which is non-invasive and uses sound waves, can help reduce the pain of heel spurs and other foot conditions.